Вопросы к тексту doctor in the house. R. Gordon 1. What is the general slant of the story? 2. What imagery is employed by the writer in describing the student's anticipating the examinations? 3. By commenting on six cases of simile chosen from the text explain and bring out the effectiveness of this stylistic device in the description of the examinations. 4. Explain and discuss the effectiveness of the allusion "judgement day" for conveying the students' fear of the examinations. 5. How does the author describe the difference between the psychological types of students at the examinations? What makes the description convincing? 6. Show how the writer conveys a sense of futility and despair in the description of the aftereffect of the examination on the students. Bring out the effectiveness of the sustained metaphor in creating the sense of futility Richard had after the examinations. 7. In what way is the atmosphere of growing suspense created? Show its function in conveying the sense of anticipation and excitement which is generated towards the end of the extract. 8. What contrast in mood and atmosphere do you detect between the whole text and the last paragraph? 9. By referring to four examples from the text, comment on the writer's sense of humour. 10. What impressions of Gordon's character do you derive from this passage?

It would be a platitude to say that A. S. Pushkin is the greatest Russian poet. But I hope no-one is challenging the view that he occupies an outstanding place in Russian literature and culture.

Every summer in June, thousands of people visit the Pskov land. They come here to the village of Mikhailovskoye to the wonderful festival of poetry, to see the places where he lived and worked.

Pushkin is always alive for us, he is the man we all know and love, the greatest of poets. Generations come and go, but Pushkin still remains. We are all grateful to Pushkin for each line of his works. Pushkin is not only a great poet for us. He is the perfect man combining brilliant talent with civil courage and moral integrity. His name is associated with our love for the Motherland, and the best in our life.

Hundreds of new concepts, hundreds of new words have appeared in the language in the years that have passed since his death, but not a single word of his poetry has become obsolete. The old forms of life went into the past, but everything written by Pushkin continues to live. It has not become something of the past, it does not need any corrections and hardly needs commentary. His feelings and his views still correspond to our own feelings and views.

We admire the great world of Pushkin's poetry as a whole, each of us finding some special lines for himself, lines showing Pushkin's great and generous heart, his sympathy and respect for his people. Whatever Pushkin's work we see portrayal of Russian life, the Russian intellect, the Russian soul, the life of the Russian land in all epochs, the Russian people. The reader cannot imagine his inner world without him.

Hi Kurt!

Hi Kate!

It's nice to see you again on such a fine day!

I am glad to see you too!

Hey, I was talking with everyone about their summer plans but I haven't heard from you what you are going to be doing.

It's cause you never asked.

Well, I am asking you now.

Ok, I will tell you. This summer my familly and I are going to go to the Azov sea. We have some relative's there. I really enjoy going there. I am able to meet my cousins and old friends, go swimming and have a great time!

That sounds like a lot of fun!

It sure will be! So now about you. What are you going to be doing this summer.

First, I am going to go to my grandmothers summer house and help her with her garden. My friends will be organising a hike to the Karpathian mountains so I will be joining them for some time. And last but not least, I am going to go to Germany. My parents have been wanting to go see it for a very long time and now they finally got the oppertunity. And I am going to go with them.

Oh, so thats why you are so interested in my summer plans.

Why?

So you can show of with your cool summer!

No. I really was interested in knowing what your summer will be like.

Yeah, whatever. See you in class Kate!